A mass is a ceremony, and even the "ordinary people" who serve at the mass also wear ceremonial garb. Some elements of the garb indicate the liturgical season (purple in Lent, for example) or have other symbolic significance.

You're obviously not Catholic, Palenq, so you really can't offer an opinion that the traditions of the Catholic church are ridiculous. I would never venture such an opinion about the traditional dress and ceremonies of Buddhists, for example. Or any other religion.

Yes the Vatican's forbidding of say shorts or women's uncovered knees seems so so ridiculous - what is the reason - will God be offended if in his house of worship? Again a policy that seems - what is so sinful about bare shoulders? I've seen so many folks come to St Peter's with shorts and bare shoulders, etc only to be turned away - I think again Jesus would not turn anyone away - well not this type of stuff.

Peoples' perceptions of Catholic church being out of touch on so many things like birth control and gay marriage and making women 2nd class citizens by banning them from becoming priests, etc. are I think a reason that in so many European countries and even U.S. so many leave the church- becoming 'recovering Catholics in some friends words. But those dress codes at Vatican are laughable.

Oh, give it up, Palenq. I don't think for a moment you have any interest in reforming the Catholic Church. Laugh all you want, nobody cares. I'm glad you're so easily amused.

Synagogues, mosques, and Buddhist temples also have rules about how people can dress. For that matter, restaurants also have rules, and I don't think anyone goes to the opera in mini-shorts and tank tops. For that matter, even 7-11 says, "no shoes, no shirt, no service". Why? When I was a kid out in the country, all kids went to the store barefoot. Why can't a woman be the Dalai Lama? Why isn't polygamy legal in the US? Laugh, laugh!

No have no interest in what Catholic Church - THE Church does just that it is the opposite IMO of what Jesus would do- all those elaborate cathedrals and churches - opulent and all that money I'm sure Jesus would have decried - millions of medieval poor folks being made to donate to that excess and now - lots of monies spent upkeeping lavish churches could be spent on poor but I do give some parts of THE church credit for being pro-active in helping third-world countries in many ways - in fact Catholic Charities do so much great work. And only pointing out Catholic Church because we were talking about Italy and Vatican - others just as bad in sexism and bigotry against gays, etc. Yes should be able to have Dolly Lama too and polygamy should be legal IMO - if not a brainwashing cult, etc.

Dolly Lama? That's a new one.

If you think dressing like Jesus is a good idea in this day and age, you're nuts, though people still do in some parts of the world, I suppose.

Your fanatacism about Catholicism is almost as tiresome as Catholicism itself can be. Have you never noticed that people in prominent positions in other religions, like Buddhism, for example, wear clothing that is representative of their positions and perhaps influence in that religion? And colors are symbolic. People of all cultures, dating back to almost prehistoric times, have thrived on ceremony and tradition - and costumes to celebrate their beliefs.

You really are tiresome beyond belief in this respect.

If you think dressing like Jesus is a good idea in this day and age, you're nuts, though people still do in some parts of the world, I suppose.>

If you read what I said I said that Jesus would dress like ordinary people - now - not wearing some ridiculous robes like the fictional Jesus does in pictures of him - ironically showing blond hair often - strange for an Arab. He would dress like normal folks - maybe jeans and T-shirts - why must people dress up to go to church or why do they? That's what I meant.

We were talking about Vatican and Catholics but yes most religions have similar and various bigotry - Orthodox Jews I guess separate men from women - women in balcony and men below - like religion has always done try to make women down and men up. A blond Jesus - guess Jesus dyed his hair? I guess we'll see in the 2nd Coming! Starrs has departed from Fodor's?

The different colors of clerical vestments iworn by RC priests for mass reflect the "status" of the respective holiday.- not that of the priest.

Weekdays or ordinary sundays with no special holiday = green
Holidays of repentance like lent, advent = violet
Holidays of love, martyrdom (blood) or the holy spirit like Good Friday or pentecost = red
Holidays of celebration and joy (Easter and Christmas) = bright white plus whatever festive add-ons like silver or gold
Funerals = black

Since most of the televised appearances of the pope usually happen during Easter or Christmas mass, it's kinda obvious that you see him sporting the most fancy outfits he got in his closet.

In addition to the above, also the different ranks of clergy are reflected by different colors, e.g. bishops wear violet (for official business).
Whether or not clergy dresses up or down in everyday life is more or less a reflection of the tradition of the respective country or region.

You have obviously also never attended a CofE service in most churches in England and Wales.

I have no idea what the officiant wears in a Dutch church. In the Catholic ones I assume it is the same as in Catholic churches i other parts of the world, so surplice and robes. In the Protestant ones it's probably just a suit. I've never attended a service of any denomination in the Netherlands so I wouldn't know.


Anyway I hope OP finds a church they can attend even if the service isn't in English.

Pal has quite literally become a troll. What that HECK does his opinion of Catholics, churches, liturgical customs/dress, church regulation, Jesus, the Pope, whatever - have to do with anything? Half of this thread is totally off topic and just pot stirring - and rude to the OP who is obviously a practicing Catholic.

My apologies to OP but he got his answer and the subject of dress codes in general was delved into - the Vatican being brought up - this often happens and was a natural development - too bad that one's honest opinions are called trolling. Cheers!

This isn't a forum for "delving into" your opinions on religion, Pal, whether they're "honest" or not. It's a complete bore, and useless for people asking their own honest questions. Stick to the cut-and-paste train information.

Ca y'est!

To ACDB--the OP:

I am also a practicing Catholic and I hope you are able to attend Mass. I have found it beautiful and interesting to attend Mass in other countries, including those where I really don't know the language (like In France).

I am sorry that PalenQ has decided to go off topic with a critique of the Church. He has done so on another part of this website, called the Lounge which is meant for those meanderings, but it's really not appropriate here in the European Travel forum. Please know that he vast majority of people on this board, including some very avowed atheists, have always been welcoming to me and others who attend religious services (of any denomination). Given that my first questions on this board were about attending my brother's ordination in Rome, I have lots of past conversations where the topic came up.

To 5-Alive

thank you. I've followed the recommendation in emailing the church. Looks like we are a go. Thanks to all who answered my 'query' ! I'm off to Belgium August 14 - can't wait.

ACDB